RI Gov. Chafee to 'flip switch' on new solar power array

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island Governor Chafee is planning to throw the switch on what will be New England's most powerful solar rooftop array.

By News staff

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island Governor Chafee is planning to throw the switch on what will be New England's most powerful solar rooftop array.

Chafee and others plan to celebrate the new solar power array Wednesday at its location in the Quonset Business Park. The 8,500-panel array is constructed on top of two former Navy buildings at Quonset.

The array is the size of three-and-a-half football fields and will generate nearly 3 million kilowatt-hours per year.

The array was built by Nexamp, Inc., a solar power producer.

The business park at Quonset Point is home to more than 175 companies employing 9,500 people. The development and management of the area is overseen by the Quonset Development Corp.